The whole process of traveling amuses me.
I love the excitement surrounding a trip, the anticipation of seeing friends, meeting new people, planning fun activities and trying new restaurants. It’s all so fun!
But you know what else is fun?
The airport security line.
I know I’ve blogged about airport security before (and featured one of the funniest cartoons I’ve ever seen), but it never ceases to amuse me.
I feel a kindred spirit with the people who take a ridiculous amount of time unloading all of their crap on the security conveyor belt.
Honestly, I try to go fast through security. I just happen to travel with all of my worldly belongings which makes me slow.
Somehow my travel tote becomes Mary Poppins’ bag in the security line and I have to remove way too many things. My laptop! My liquids! My shoes! A tree! My measuring tape to see how Jane and Michael measure up! (Sorry, the Mary Poppins fan in me got a little carried away with the last two. Feed the birds, tuppence a bag.)
Naturally unloading all of this stuff makes me self conscious and I get unjustly stressed as the person behind me creeps up on me, not so subtly trying to move me along. I’m trrrying, my friend.
After all of the rushing through security, it felt good to relax for the 20 minutes before I had to board my plane with a hot cappuccino and a new book.
I’m hoping to knock out a large chunk of this month’s book club selection while traveling. I’ve heard from several people that parts of Still Missing are rather graphic and may be distressing to readers, so I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that on the blog and give those of you who are participating in the book club a head’s up. Read with caution!
Lunch
Lunch came before all of the airport hullaballoo.
Prior to leaving Ocala, I made myself a very early lunch that included a roast beef sandwich and white cheddar popcorn.
I then drove to my parents’ house in St. Pete to leave my car at there for the week and catch a ride to the Tampa airport with my mom this afternoon.
While there, I sliced up an Ambrosia apple and ate it with some almond butter.
The apple slices and almond butter were enjoyed in the car en route to the Tampa airport.
The almond butter was freshly ground at Rollin’ Oats, a natural foods store in St. Pete and was chunky and so freakin’ good.
Now I’m blogging from the sky (I’ll publish this post once I’m on the ground and have access to wifi) and plan to use the rest of my in-flight time to sort through pictures on my computer and delete, delete, delete!
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Have fun in NYC!
Mmm, your lunch looks really good! You’ve got me craving white cheddar popcorn – I used to eat it in college a lot because they had bags of it in my dorm’s vending machines, but it’s been awhile since I’ve had any. Have a great night in NYC!!
Haha I’m probably one of those nagging people behind you in line. I always have everything ready to go and am quite speedy going through the security line. I never understand what takes some people so long! Hope you have a fun start to your trip!
I love the airport security line (unless I’m in a hurry) because it’s so interesting to watch how people cope with it all. It’s very stressful and some people are grouchy, some are fine and some just fall apart and accidentally forget their child. I’ve actually run after tons of people who’ve forgotten their luggage after going through 🙂 Have a good trip!
I like your gym shoes! What brand are they? Where did you get them?
thank you! they’re nike frees and were a bday present. got them at dick’s sporting goods!
Haha I’m actually really good at the security line, I pack so I’m ready for the line and by the time I actually get up to the bins my coat is off, laptop already out and shoes unlaced and ready to be slipped off! I like to pretend it’s a talent…
Air travel isn’t quite as fun as it used to be. 😉 And now my husband said that the airlines are supposed to be increasing the price of checking luggage … again! One airline is charging $100 a bag! Seriously?! Who will be able to afford to fly if that happens??
Traveling can be incredibly stressful, but for some reason, I love love airports. I’m a big time people watcher so sitting in an airport terminal, knowing you are on time for your flight and watching and wondering what everyone else is doing there truly entertains me. Safe travels!
That almond butter looks delicious!
I have to laugh when I read your posts about your locations. I’m in Iowa but my parents live in The Villages and our son is in New Tampa. Small world. Enjoy NY.
where are your tennis shoes from? they look cute in the pic! have fun on your trip!
thanks! they’re nike frees from dick’s sporting goods.
I am so glad someone asked this! I gotta find your shoes! That beautiful turquoise and pink are my favorite colors! I already have a pair of pink Nikes so now I have to have the turquoise! Glad you had a safe trip. I absolutely love NY!!!
I spy the new Nike Frees! I have been eying those, I need to get a pair- so cute!
I totally feel you about security. Calm down, people! I’ll be in NYC Friday and can’t wait! Have fun!!
I have to agree with Samantha, what brand are your tennis shoes. I am madly in love this season with the sea foam color, and would love to get some shoes like yours 🙂
nike frees!
This is random but just occurred to me. Would you consider doing a day in the life of? I remember you did a morning routine post once, but I was hoping you would do a whole day. I am curious what a blogger does all day and how you incorporate snacks/meals into your schedule.
just bought “still missing” on my kindle for $2.99! so excited to finally join in on the book club!
Julie,
Your Mary Poppins reference LITERALLY made me laugh out loud… so loud in fact that my little dog, Keely, came out to see what was so funny! (She was quite disappointed that it wasn’t a cookie for her!)
Have a great time in NYC~ can’t wait to read the blog and live vicariously through you all!
🙂
glad my disney humor isn’t lost on everyone! 😀
Ooh!! Loving the peek of your nikes! Lookin’ so snazzy! I definitely wouldn’t mind having a pair of those bad boys!
Random nyc question your friend might be able to answer: have you heard of a sushi restaurant where the servers are in ninja garb and actually slide down poles and such?! I don’t know if my it’s really a restaurant or not, but if it is, you both should totally check it out because it sounds so awesome!
OMG…. you just solved a lifelong mystery I didn’t even know was a mystery. “tuppence a bag” I always thought said “tuppens are gay” and I thought it was a type of happy bird….. I am dying….
I always thought it was “toppins a bag” (toppins like poppins?), and I never knew what that was either. Ha!
I love your shoes in the picture of the book. What brand are they?
thank you! they are nike frees.
Hey Julie! I have been reading your blog for a while now, and I have to say it is one of my favorites (also just started my own sarasmiles.com). After reading this post I had to share with you a recent airport security story of mine: When my job required me to travel a lot to see clients, I was always back and forth from the Midwest, one of the stops being Appleton WI where many of my clients are huge Packers fans. Long story short, my boss lost a bet and had to return my clients Packers bobble-head, for which I was appointed to hand deliver. I was immediately stopped at security, and asked if I was carrying a weapon. It took me a minute, but while everyone was staring, I quickly replied that No! it was in fact a bobble-head. Let’s just say I got some funny looks
Feeeeeeed the birds, tuppence a bag. Tuppence, tuppence, tuppence, a bag! Haha I have some MP love too 🙂
Have the best time in NYC! I can’t wait to hear how the bloggers conference goes! And I love travelling and airports too but I hate security. I’m always the slowpoke having to take out everything and people always rush me!
Agreed! I love all the excitement that surrounds flying.
Welcome to NY!!!!
Security lines are also great for people watching for this reason. I mean some people get so worked up or just have hilarious belongings. I love the strange things you see people pull out or even take off!
I love your suitcase!!!! Where did you get it from?
thank you! it’s nicole miller and i got it as a graduation present from my grandma who bought it at tjmaxx.
Okay… I’m looking at your blog again! And I love your purse as well as your suit case!!!! Can you please tell me where they are from or brand? Please!!
thanks, kaylee! the tote is longchamp and the suitcase is nicole miller (bought at tjmaxx a few years ago).
I’m usually super fast at security lines. But, I do make the error of wearing sandals and then having to walk barefoot through the detector. Kind of gross!
HAHA. I too am that person. But I think I’ve gotten it down to an art…I start pulling things out as I head to the line. It usually works…. 😉
Have FUN!
I have mastered airport security lines! All of my liquids bagged up, have my coat and shoes off while waiting, everything organized before it’s my turn! You really learn to master it when you’ve flown multiple times/have connections, etc. One time a woman had this enormous industrial-looking hairdryer in her carry-on that two security guards had to carefully inspect before allowing it on!
Fresh ground almond butter is the best!!
Haha tuppence a bag, love your reference. Have you seeeen the Broadway production of Mary Poppins?? I about peed my pants with delight at how magical it was. Seriously, get on that! You will squeal when Mary flies right over you, I’m tellin’ ya…
You always remind me to read. I almost forgot that my library book is almost due and I need to get on it!
Good luck at your panel! I am sooo excited for you and cannot wait to hear how it goes! I wish I could tune in!
Have a blast on your trip! I have to say…i LOVE the color of your tennis shoes in the picture with you holding the book. Is it bad that I noticed? I love that blue/green color right now 🙂
hehe I was going to comment on her shoes too! Such a pretty and happy color 😀
It amuses me too! 🙂 I’m not sure why, but I love airports. I’m not sure why? Maybe the people watching, the anticipation of travel, the catching up on my celeb magazine gossip 🙂 Who knows but I seriously love airports! Ha. Have fun in NYC!
I am drooling that almond butter looks so good!
Love your thoughts on travel, I definitely feel a kinship with my fellow travelers as well! Recently whenever I’ve gone to the airport, I’ve had to go on the full-body scan security line. It’s always amusing to watch people figure out how to stand!
Have a lovely trip! 🙂
Haha! I love your reference to Mary Poppins! I seriously carry a Mary Poppins bag too. I hate going through the airport security line. It stresses me out so much. That is the one thing that I’m dreading when we go on our honeymoon in August.
haha I LOVE the Mary Popping reference. Such a classic movie. And I totally feel the same way at airports. For some reason, that stupid line is the most stressful part of traveling!! I’m always afraid that I might have missed something (heaven forbid a lone tube of toothpaste made it’s way into my bag) and TSA is going to cart me off for interrogation!
LOVE your teal sneakers in the pic with the book, what kind are they and do you run in them? I am on the hunt to try some new running shoes!!
I just started Still Missing and it is amazing! It sucks you in from the first sentence and I can’t wait to go home and read more to find out what happens! It’s definitely an intense subject but the way it is written is riveting!
This is probably a really dumb question, but why would you drive to Tampa to catch a flight when Orlando is much much closer to you? I know my mom said Orlando airport is a madhouse, but the drive to Tampa is a long one. Just curious.
My hubby & I used to always meet for lunch dates in Bryant park which is right by my office. Its such a pretty little nugget 🙂
hahaha. i hate the security line.
once i was so rushed that out of lack of hands and feeling super rushed, i put my boarding pass in my mouth to hold while i got situated, then got yelled at by security about how i should NEVER do that! don’t you know how many germs there are here?! don’t ever do that again!!!!
i was pretty shocked.
needless to say, i never did it again.
I am reading Still Missing and I am only 100 pages from the end. It is really upsetting me but I gotta find out what happens.
This is a very good tip especially to those fresh to the blogosphere.
Short but very accurate info… Many thanks for sharing this one.
A must read post!